34 THE HORSE. 



that to the remarkably accidental importation of the celebrated Linasey''s Arabian 

 may be traced some brilliant exploits of the battle-field, as well as of the turf in 

 America. The curious history of that renowned Arabian is worthy of preservation 

 here, as it was thus related to the editor, by a meritorious Maryland officer of the 

 Revolution, the venerable General T. M. Forman, a yet living monument of the 

 " times that tried men's souls." 



LINDSEY'S ARABIAN. 



About the year 1777 or '78, General H. Lee, of the Cavalry, and his officers, had 

 their attention drawn to some uncommonly fine Eastern horses employed in the public 

 service — horses of such superior form and appearance, that the above oflicers were led 

 to make much inquiry respecting their history ; and this proved so extraordinary, that 

 Captain Lindsey was sent to examine and make more particular inquiry respecting 

 the fine cavalry, which had been so much admired, and with instructions, that if the 

 sire answered the description given of him, the Captain was to purchase him, if to be 

 sold. 



The Captain succeeded in purchasing- the horse, who was taken to Virginia, where 

 he covered at a high price and with considerable success. 



It was not until this fine horse became old and feeble that the writer of these recol- 

 lections rode thirty miles expressly to see him. He was a white horse, of the most 

 perfect form and symmetry, rather above fifteen hands high, and although old and 

 crippled, appeared to possess a high and gallant temper, which gave him a lofty and 

 commanding carriage and appearance. 



The history of this horse, as given to me during the Revolutionary war, by several 

 respectable persons from Connecticut, at various tunes, is : — 



For some very important service, rendered by the Commander of a British frigate, 

 to a son of the then Emperor of Morocco, the Emperor presented this horse (the most 

 valuable of his stud) to the Captain, who shipped him on board the frigate, with the 

 sanguine expectation of obtaining a great price for him, if safely landed in England. 

 Either in obedience to orders, or from some other cause, the frigate called at one of 

 the English West India islands, where being obliged to remain some time, the Cap- 

 tain, in compassion to the horse, landed him for the purpose of exercise. No con- 

 venient securely inclosed place could be found but a large lumber-yard, into which 

 the horse was turned loose; but delighted and playful as a kitten, his liberty soon 

 proved nearly fatal to him. He ascended one of the piles, from which and with it he 

 fell, and broke three of his legs. At this time in the same harbour, the English Captain 

 met with an old acquaintance from one of our now Eastern states. To him he oflered 

 tlie horse, as an animal of inestimable value could he be cured. The Eastern 

 Captain gladly accepted the horse, and knowing he must be detained a considerable 

 time in the Island before he could dispose of his assorted cargo, got the horse on 

 board his vessel, secured him in slings, and very carefully set and bound up his 

 broken legs. It matters not how long he remained in the harbour, or if quite cured 

 oefore he arrived on our shore ; but he did arrive, and he must certainly have covered 

 several seasons, before he v,as noticed as first mentioned. 



When the writer of these remarks went to see the horse, his first attention was to 

 examine liis legs, respecting the reported fracture, and he was fully satisfied, not 

 merely by seeing the lumps and inequalities on the three legs, but by actually feeling 

 the irrcgula-rities and projections of broken bones. 



In Connecticut (I think) tliis horse was called Ranger; in Virginia (as it should 

 be) he was called Lindsoy's Arabian. He was the sire of Tulip and many good 

 runners; to all his stock he g;ive great ])erfection of form; and his blood flows in 

 the veins of some of the best horses of the present day. Make what use you please 

 of this statement ; I will stand corrected in my narrative, by any person who can 

 produce better testimony respecting Lindsey's Arabian. 



Your obedient servant, F. 



Septewher 10, 1827. 



